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NFL free agency: Which edge rushers are left for the 49ers to target?

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Alex Okafor #57 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Alex Okafor #57 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions has the ball stripped by Trent Murphy #93 of the Washington Redskins at Ford Field on October 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan Detroit won the game 20-17. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions has the ball stripped by Trent Murphy #93 of the Washington Redskins at Ford Field on October 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan Detroit won the game 20-17. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Trent Murphy

2017 Team: Washington Redskins

Another younger option the 49ers could pursue is the Washington Redskins’ Trent Murphy, who has a combined 15 sacks over three seasons after being taken in Round 2 of the 2014 NFL Draft.

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An ACL injury forced Murphy to miss all of last season, though, so the Niners would be banking on Murphy to be fully healthy at the start of training camp.

At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Murphy is just on the upper end of the ideal LEO spot in San Francisco’s defense.

Murphy owned an 81.5 overall grade in 2016, per Pro Football Focus, and it wouldn’t have been a shock to see that number improve last year had it not been for the injury. Of course, the Redskins know this too. It wouldn’t be a shock to see them try to re-sign him with the hopes of regaining the same trajectory he was on before his ACL tear.

But there’s a small factor to consider here. Murphy and John Lynch both have connections via Stanford, where Murphy attended.

Would that be enough for the 49ers to pry the talented pass-rusher away? Perhaps.

Next: 49ers' salary cap situation ahead of NFL free agency

Either way, the official start of NFL free agency kicks off on Mar. 14.